ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Finance Commission
Finance Commission meets the Ministry of Power
The Fifteenth Finance Commission had a meeting with the Ministry of Power in New Delhi today. The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Power, Shri R. K. Singh along with the Chairman of the Finance Commission Shri N.K. Singh. Members of the Commission and Senior Officers of the Commission , Ministry of Power and its Public Sector Undertakings were also present.
The meeting discussed the impact of the power sector reforms on state finances as there was a significant correlation between the two
The fiscal positions of States have been impacted by exposure to guarantees provided to power utilities and other public sector units, including those in the transport sector. The liabilities on account of guarantees provided to power units are quite significant in a number of States. By assigning a weight of 90 per cent to the power sector guarantees and 10 per cent to other guarantees, including transport sector guarantees, the extended debt of all States, in aggregate was around 23.3 per cent of GDP in 2011-12. The stakeholders discussed the issue in detail.
In the case of the power sector, the earlier Commissions  had deliberations in the meeting and gathered these issues that some States had not raised tariffs for eight or nine years despite increasing deficits, and that the absence of timely tariff increases had adversely affected the operations of the utilities. Further, it noted that in several States, where tariff revisions had taken place, financial gaps had been reduced. Nevertheless, large financial deficits continued to persist since the true costs were not taken account of.
The regulatory institutions, in general, lacked sufficient capabilities and urged the expediting of tariff reforms, including a multi-year tariff implementation, as required by the Electricity Act, 2003. The Ministry discussed the remedial steps in this regard.
The Union Ministry of Power concurred with the views of the States that compliance with the directions of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity  by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions  would bring about discipline and simplify procedures in the distribution sector as well as lead to improvements in the revenue and liquidity position of distribution utilities. It pointed out that the Financial Restructuring Plan of state-owned distribution companies contained a condition for mandatory tariff revisions.
The meeting discussed in detail updated status of the UDAY Scheme.
The Ministry has proposed to the Commission a scheme for supporting transiting to Electric Mobility in India – for rolling out EV infrastructure across 70 cities and 20% highways in five year i.e. 2020-25 at a cost of Rs.5000 crores.
The Ministry has also proposed VGF of upto 40% amounting to Rs.83500 crores to meet the cost of installation of Flue Gas Desulphurization to meet the new norms notified by MoEF & CC for power plants.
The Commission and the Ministry of Power agreed to have a separate meeting soon with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Rajya Mantri visits NCC Republic Day Camp 2023;
Shri Ajay Bhatt says NCC is a shinning example of Unity in Diversity
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt has said that NCC is a shining example of “Unity in Diversity”, and since formation it has played a stellar role in grooming the youth of the country by instilling values of discipline, character, spirit of adventure and ideals of selfless service in them. Raksha Rajya Mantri was addressing NCC Cadets of Republic Day Camp 2023 at Delhi Cantt in New Delhi on 19 January 2023.
Shri Ajay Bhatt underlined that NCC has been an epitome of “Unity and Discipline” for the Youth of the Country and has been strengthening the patriotic and secular values which are also enshrined in the Indian constitution.
Raksha Rajya Mantri emphasized that the expansion of NCC is progressing as per schedule. “Through its expansion plans, NCC aims at enhancing its coverage in coastal areas, border areas and left wing extremism affected areas with special emphasis on transforming the youth of theses remote areas,”
He expressed confidence that the special efforts will increase the reach of NCC to the rural and semi urban areas by locating maximum new raisings in such areas. “It will definitely energise the youth in these areas and give them an opportunity to contribute towards nation building,” he added.
Shri Ajay Bhat appreciated the role of NCC cadets in the community development and social service schemes like National Youth Festival, International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and Nasha Mukti Abhiyan.
“NCC’s disaster relief efforts including the assistance to civil administration in various states and their exceptional service in Swachta Abhiyan, and Puneet Sagar Abhiyan have been praiseworthy. NCC’s efforts in making our honourable Prime Ministers call of Har Ghar Tiranga on 15 August 2022 literally made it into a great festival full of patriotic fervour. I am sure the ethos of team work and value education inculcated in you will always enable you to positively contribute towards national objectives in the future too,” Raksha Rajya Mantri said.
Earlier, a contingent of all the three wings namely Army, Navy and Air Force presented an impressive “Guard of Honour” to the Raksha Rajya Mantrion his arrival. NCC cadets thereafter presented a fine band display. Shri Ajay Bhatt also visited the ‘Flag Area’ prepared by the NCC cadets, depicting various social awareness themes and cultural activities. The cadets briefed him in detail about their respective State Directorate themes.
Raksha Rajya Mantri also visited the ‘Hall of Fame’, a proud possession of NCC with display of rich archival collection of alumni photographs, models, motivational and other visual delights of the three wings of NCC.
Shri Ajay Bhatt along with other distinguished guests later witnessed a spectacular ‘Cultural Programme’ by the cadets in the NCC auditorium.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s remarks at Climate Action Summit 2019 during 74th session of UNGA
I thank UN Secretary General for organizing the Global climate summit.
After having received the Champion of the Earth award last year, this is my first opportunity to address the United Nations. I am pleased that my first meeting during my visit to New York is on the subject of Climate.
Excellencies,
Various efforts are being made by different countries to fight climate change.
We must accept that if we have to overcome a serious challenge like climate change, then what we are doing at the moment is just not enough.
What is needed today, is a comprehensive approach which covers everything from education to values, and from lifestyle to developmental philosophy. What we need is a global people’s movement to bring about behavioral change.
The respect for nature, the judicious use of resources, reducing our needs and living within our means have all been important aspects of both our traditions and present day efforts. Need not Greed has been our guiding principle.
And therefore India today has come not just to talk about the seriousness of this issue, but to present a practical approach and a roadmap. We believe that an ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of preaching.
In India, we are going to increase the share of non fossil fuel, and by 2022 we plan to increase our renewable energy capacity to much beyond 175 GW, and later till 450 GW.
In India we have made plans to make our transport sector green through e mobility.
India is also working to considerably increase the proportion of the biofuel blend in petrol and diesel.
We have provided clean cooking gas to 150 million families.
We have launched the Jal Jeevan mission for water conservation, rainwater harvesting and for the development of water resources. India is going to spend approximately 50 billion dollars on this in the next few years.
On the International forum, almost 80 countries have joined our International Solar Alliance campaign. India and Sweden together with other partners are launching the Leadership group within the Industry transition track. This initiative will provide a platform for governments and the private sector with opportunities for cooperation in the area of Technology innovation. This will help to develop low carbon pathways for industry.
In order to make our infrastructure disaster resilient, India is launching a Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. I invite Member states to join this coalition.
This year on the occasion of India’s Independence day on 15th August, we called for a peoples movement to end the use of single use plastic. I hope that this will create an awareness at a global level about the harmful effects of single use plastic.
Excellencies,
I am happy to announce that tomorrow we are going to inaugurate solar panels on the roof of the UN building, funded by India at a cost of 1 million dollars.
The time for talking is over; the world needs to act now.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Disclaimer: PM's speech was delivered in Hindi. This is an approximate translation of the speech.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
74 flights operated till date under Lifeline Udan; more than 22 tonnes cargo transported in single day
Under Lifeline Udan initiative of Ministry of Civil Aviation, 74 flights have been operated till date for transporting medical cargo across the country. A total of 37.63 tonnes of cargo has been transported till date out of which more than 22 tonnes has been transported on 31st March 2020.
On 31st March, following flights were operated:
Lifeline 1: Air India flights: Mumbai to New Delhi to Guwahati to Mumbai carried consignments of Meghalaya , Assam, ICMR, consignment of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Pune
Lifeline 2: Air India flights: New Delhi to Hyderabad to Trivandrum to Goa to Delhi. It carried consignments of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, ICMR, Goa.
Lifeline 3: Alliance Air flight: Hyderabad to Bengaluru to Hyderabad carried consignment of Ministry of Textiles.
Lifeline 4: Air India flight: Chennai to Port Blair to Chennai
Lifeline 5: IAF flight: Hindon to Port Blair via Sulur
As part of India’s war against COVID-19, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India has launched “Lifeline Udan” flights for movement of medical and essential supplies across the country and beyond.
Details of flights are as below:
|
|
S.
No.
|
|
Date
|
|
Air India
|
|
Alliance
|
|
IAF
|
|
Indigo
|
|
SpiceJet
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|
Total flights operated
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|
1
|
|
26.3.2020
|
|
02
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
02
|
|
04
|
|
2
|
|
27.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
09
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
13
|
|
3
|
|
28.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
08
|
|
-
|
|
06
|
|
-
|
|
18
|
|
4
|
|
29.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
10
|
|
06
|
|
--
|
|
-
|
|
20
|
|
5
|
|
30.3.2020
|
|
04
|
|
-
|
|
03
|
|
--
|
|
-
|
|
07
|
|
6
|
|
31.3.2020
|
|
09
|
|
02
|
|
01
|
||
||
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12
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||
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Total Flights
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|
27
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|
29
|
|
10
|
|
06
|
|
02
|
|
74Air India and IAF collaborated for Ladakh, Dimapur, Imphal, Guwahati and Port Blair
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A dedicated Medical Air Cargo related website has been launched and is fully functional from today. The link is available on the MoCA website .
-
Domestic Cargo Operators; Blue Dart and Spicejet are operating cargo flights on commercial basis.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways is marching ahead swiftly on its Mission 100 percent Electrification
Entire Broad Gauge Network  in Uttarakhand gets Electrified
Several trains to benefit from newly Electrified routes
Indian Railway is working in a mission mode to become the largest Green Railway in the world and is moving towards becoming a “net zero carbon emitter” before 2030. After completion of Electrification in Uttar Pradesh recently, Indian Railways has achieved another milestone. Indian Railways has completed the electrification of Uttarakhand.
The existing Broad Gauge network of Uttarakhand is 347 Route kilometre, which is 100% electrified, resulting in saving on account of reduced line haul cost , heavier haulage capacity, increased sectional capacity, reduced operating & maintenance cost of electric loco, energy efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation with reduced dependence on imported crude oil, saving of foreign exchange.
Uttarakhand state’s territory falls in Northern & North Eastern Railway’s jurisdiction. Some of the major railway stations in Uttarakhand are: Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee, Rishikesh, Kathgodam, Tanakpur. Some of them have religious importance and some are tourist attractive places. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Hemkund Sahib, Mussoorie, Nainital, Jim Carbet & Haridwar are a few to name. Kathgodam station is an important station with annual passenger footfall of about 7 lacs and this terminating station acts as entry of Kumaun region of Uttrakhand. First train to this station reached on 24 April 1884.
Some of the prestigious trains of Uttarakhand state are: Nanda Devi, Haridwar Express, Mussoorie Express, Utkal Express, Kumaon Express, Doon Express & Shatabdi Express. These trains provide convenient connectivity to various parts of the state and other major cities in India, helping greatly to state in tourism business.
Further, Rishikesh to Karnprayag, a new line work is under construction which will be another landmark achievement of Indian Railways, bringing Char Dham pilgrimage route on Indian Railways’ circuit. This route is sanctioned along with electrification, in sync with Railways’ policy of 100% electrified network.
Ministry of Communications
TRAI releases report on drive tests conducted at 20 locations across the country and surrounding areas
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India , with the assistance of the Telecom Service Providers, conducted Drive Tests at twenty locations and surrounding areas viz. Balasore, Erode, Vizianagaram, Gangtok, Aizawl, Dimapur, Shillong, Itanagar, Jabalpur, Prayagraj, Wayanad, Gandhidham & Kandla port, Bikaner, Amritsar, Mysuru, Mysuru-Bengaluru HW, Jabalpur-Chakghat HW, Prayagraj-Banda HW, Bikaner-Nagaur HW and Amritsar-Pathankot HW, in the quarter ending March 2023.
The Drive tests were conducted to assess the network quality provided by cellular mobile telephone service providers for voice and data services. The details of drive tests conducted are given below:
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S. No
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Location
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Licensed Service Area 
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Balasore
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Odisha
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Erode
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Tamilnadu
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Vizianagaram
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Andhra Pradesh
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-
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Gangtok
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Northeast
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||
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Aizawl
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Northeast
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6.
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Dimapur
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Northeast
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7.
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Shillong
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Northeast
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|
-
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Itanagar
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Northeast
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|
-
|
|
Jabalpur
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Madhya Pradesh
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|
-
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|
Prayagraj
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U.P. 
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|
-
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|
Wayanad
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Kerala
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|
-
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Gandhidham & Kandla port
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Gujrat
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|
-
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Bikaner
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Rajasthan
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||
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Amritsar
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Punjab
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||
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Mysuru
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Karnataka
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16.
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Mysuru-Bengaluru HW
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Karnataka
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17.
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Jabalpur-Chakghat HW
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Madhya Pradesh
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18.
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Prayagraj-Banda HW
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U.P. 
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19.
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|
Bikaner-Nagaur HW
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Rajasthan
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|
20.
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|
Amritsar-Pathankot HW
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|
Punjab
The Key Performance Indicators  were assessed for the networks of all telecom service providers operating in the region. KPIs for voice services are Coverage; Call Setup Success Rate ; Drop Call Rate; Block Call Rate, Handover Success Rate; Rx Quality. KPIs for data services are Download and Upload Throughputs, Web Browsing Delay, Video Streaming Delay and Latency.
The complete report is available at TRAI website www.analytics.trai.gov.in.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
IFFI to celebrate legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray
The 51st International Film Festival of India will pay rich tributes to the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray. This was announced during the Golden Jubilee edition of IFFI in 2019, by Shri Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of I&B, as part of the Centenary celebrations of Satyajit Ray.
IFFI will showcase the following films as part of this tribute:
- Charulata 
- GhareBaire 
- PatherPanchali 
- ShatranjKeKhilari 
- Sonar Kella
Ministry of Railways
Production Units of Indian Railways on fast track to achieve record production in 2022-23
LHB Coach Production increased by 45% and Loco production increased by 34% during 2021-22
Indian Railways Production Units i.e. Integral Coach Factory , Chennai, Rail Coach Factory  at Kapurthala, Modern Coach Factory  at Rae Bareli, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works  at Chittaranjan, Banaras Locomotive Works  at Varanasi, Patiala Locomotive Works  at Patiala, Rail Wheel Factory  at Bengaluru and Rail Wheel Plant at Bela are on fast track to achieve record production in 2022-23.
All Production Units of Railways are performing excellently. They are supplying the ever increasing requirement of Rolling Stock for Indian Railways. All the Production Units continue to get modernization inputs in the form of latest M&P, Sheds & facilities. Even during the period of COVID time, the Railway Production Units continued to support railway sector by producing coaches by following the prescribed COVID norms.
ICF, RCF & MCF are coach Manufacturing units which are making Vande Bharat, LHB, EMUs, MEMUs, Vistadome and other coaches. It is to the credit of ICF that the first indigenous Trainset was designed and manufactured in just 18 months and called T18. Two such trains are already running between Delhi-Varanasi and Delhi-Katra. Now trials of the newer version of Vande Bharat are going on. IR is planning to induct another 75 Vande Bharat trains by August’23 as per the vision of the Prime Minister. CLW, BLW and PLW are locomotives manufacturing units. Today they are manufacturing advanced Electric locos i.e. WAG9 and WAP7. Modern energy efficient 12000hp and 9000hp Locomotives will also be made soon at these Production Units. Further RWF and RWP are the wheels and wheelsets producing units, supplying all types of Rolling Stocks. Rail Wheel Plant Belapur & Rail Wheel Factory Yehlanka have collectively produced 92118 wheels in this FY, which is 6.5 times the wheels produced last year during the same period. Similarly, production of rail axle have also increased by 7% during the same period.
Last year in 2021-22, all the production Units have achieved record production. Last year, LHB Coach Production increased by 45% and Loco production increased by 34% . This year in 22-23 still higher Production targets have been given to Production Units. Despite some supply chain constraints, all are poised to achieve the same.
The Government has ambitious plans to recapture the freight market share by Railways from 28% at present to 40% in next 10 years. For this, funds have been made available for capacity augmentation, modernization of Rolling stocks, world class stations & tracks etc. Accordingly large no. of Rolling Stocks of Modern type like Vande Bharat and 3-phase EMUs & MEMUs will be produced by the Production Units.
Special Service and Features
Bureau of Indian Standards: New amendment on mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery/artefacts
Kochi, 27 April 2022
An amendment has been issued to the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2020 which will come into force with effect from 1 June 2022. By this amendment, hallmarking of 20, 23 and 24 carats jewellery and artefacts have also been made mandatory. Also, 32 New districts have been included in the list of districts where hallmarking is mandatory. In the state of Kerala, all districts except Idukki are covered under Mandatory Hallmarking Order.
BIS has requested the consumers to look for the three marks including the HUID in the jewellery purchased. Authenticity of HUID can be verified using the BIS Care App. Consumers can also get their jewellery tested at any BIS Recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre in case of doubt.
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Ministry of Science & Technology
Nanoparticles: Emerging trends in human health and Environment
As part of the ongoing Govt of India initiative “Azadi ka Amrit Mahatosav”, the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics , CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research , New Delhi, has brought out its November 2022 issue as a special issue on the theme, “Nanoparticles: Emerging trends in human health and Environment” in the Indian context. CSIR-NIScPR, a leading publicly funded Science Communication and Policy Research institute in India, publishes 16 journals in various STI disciplines, and all of them are indexed by reputed national/international agencies like Science Citation Index , Scopus, NAAS and UGC CARE.
The IJBB, a monthly premier peer-reviewed research journal in the subject area of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, with the JIF score of 1.472, ranks first amongst all the CSIR-NIScPR journals across the disciplines. With the able guidance and active support of the recently re-constituted editorial board with reputed national/international experts, the journal has been receiving considerable attention from researchers and academicians in the area of biochemistry, biophysics and biotechnology across the globe. This special issue, with quality contents running into 106 pages, has 4 invited review articles and 5 original research papers broadly covering the emerging trends in the Nanoparticles research on human health and environment in the Indian context.
The review articles briefly mention about the achievements and future challenges in the specific subject fields, viz. gene therapy systems, polycystic ovary syndrome , Influence of nanoparticles on the male reproductive system, and the role of Nanotechnological applications in the area of sustainable agriculture. The original research articles discuss about fungal blight rice, phytochemicals against protein targets in SARS-CoV-2 and human ACE-2 receptor, antimicrobial potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles, environmental risk posed by non-engineered landfill, and the issue of anxiety among adolescents.
Publication of this special issue was possible only with the drive and support of Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi, Dr Stephen Dimitrov, Chief Editor, IJBB, Dr DN Rao, Executive Editor, IJBB, and senior colleagues Shri RS Jayasomu & Dr. G Mahesh, and the initiative taken by Dr. NK Prasanna, Senior Scientist and Scientific Editor, IJBB. Contributions from authors, reviewers, and technical support provided by the print production team of CSIR-NIScPR for successful timely publication of this journal is acknowledged.
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Payroll Reporting in India – A Formal Employment Perspective
The National Statistical Office , Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the press note on Employment Outlook of the country covering the period September, 2017 to December, 2021 based on the administrative records available with selected government agencies to assess the progress in certain dimensions.
A detailed note is annexed.